Comments on: The Art of Discomfort http://www.suzemuse.com/2008/08/the-art-of-discomfort/ Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:31:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Halyma http://www.suzemuse.com/2008/08/the-art-of-discomfort/comment-page-1/#comment-198 Halyma Fri, 15 Aug 2008 18:31:41 +0000 http://suzemuse.wordpress.com/?p=212#comment-198 I grew up hearing the words" She's just shy" in reference to me all the time. When i hit grade 7 and had to do public speaking for the first time in English class, I was aware of my own stress level enough to wear a skirt so that no one would actually see how much my knees literally shook. I happily helped out back stage at school productions, and when I was cast as lead in one play, I actually was glad I became sick a few weeks before and had to back out, and let the understudy take over. That was a long time ago. I now belly dance regularly as a performer and teacher, and love it! I accept when I have a less than perfect show/class, and allow myself to make mistakes, but still enjoy myself immensely as I am doing something I love. I have to wonder how much of our fears are based on the messages we received as children, rather than based on any actual bad experiences, practical or actual potentially negative outcome, or other more biological fight or flight reaction. I am sure it is a combination of all of it, and finding our own way through these fears is a great journey - even when we fall, are not perfect, or do choose to walk away. I grew up hearing the words” She’s just shy” in reference to me all the time. When i hit grade 7 and had to do public speaking for the first time in English class, I was aware of my own stress level enough to wear a skirt so that no one would actually see how much my knees literally shook.

I happily helped out back stage at school productions, and when I was cast as lead in one play, I actually was glad I became sick a few weeks before and had to back out, and let the understudy take over.

That was a long time ago. I now belly dance regularly as a performer and teacher, and love it! I accept when I have a less than perfect show/class, and allow myself to make mistakes, but still enjoy myself immensely as I am doing something I love.

I have to wonder how much of our fears are based on the messages we received as children, rather than based on any actual bad experiences, practical or actual potentially negative outcome, or other more biological fight or flight reaction.
I am sure it is a combination of all of it, and finding our own way through these fears is a great journey – even when we fall, are not perfect, or do choose to walk away.

]]> By: allan isfan http://www.suzemuse.com/2008/08/the-art-of-discomfort/comment-page-1/#comment-197 allan isfan Thu, 14 Aug 2008 13:21:08 +0000 http://suzemuse.wordpress.com/?p=212#comment-197 funny timing on this blog post. i'm a bit afraid of heights and just did a zip line across ste anne canyon falls. let's just just say that falling would leave a mark. i did it at the prompting of my daughters who didn't think it was scary at all. i guess they don't think of what could happen enough. lesson is that sometimes you need prompting and support from others is necessary to do something uncomfortable. will post video and pics soon funny timing on this blog post. i’m a bit afraid of heights and just did a zip line across ste anne canyon falls. let’s just just say that falling would leave a mark. i did it at the prompting of my daughters who didn’t think it was scary at all. i guess they don’t think of what could happen enough. lesson is that sometimes you need prompting and support from others is necessary to do something uncomfortable. will post video and pics soon

]]> By: Stacey http://www.suzemuse.com/2008/08/the-art-of-discomfort/comment-page-1/#comment-196 Stacey Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:07:53 +0000 http://suzemuse.wordpress.com/?p=212#comment-196 Well, you know I twittered recently about driving, and you told me if it made me so uncomfortable not to do it, but I replied that I was going to do it in the end, but it was an emotional rollercoaster for me to get in the car and pull out of the parking lot. Once I did that, I was ok. After I got to my destination, I was nervous and a bit shaky in the hands. My heart raced as I thought about driving back to our store, but I took a slower traffic route and it was a much better experience for me. But, I will still need Valium when I drive in the future. That's a given. *snort* Well, you know I twittered recently about driving, and you told me if it made me so uncomfortable not to do it, but I replied that I was going to do it in the end, but it was an emotional rollercoaster for me to get in the car and pull out of the parking lot. Once I did that, I was ok. After I got to my destination, I was nervous and a bit shaky in the hands. My heart raced as I thought about driving back to our store, but I took a slower traffic route and it was a much better experience for me. But, I will still need Valium when I drive in the future. That’s a given. *snort*

]]> By: Joe Boughner http://www.suzemuse.com/2008/08/the-art-of-discomfort/comment-page-1/#comment-195 Joe Boughner Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:02:40 +0000 http://suzemuse.wordpress.com/?p=212#comment-195 I used to be terrified of heights. Then, while volunteering as a theatre tech in high school, the crew manager invited me up to the 'grid,' the network of 2x4s and steel girders that resides a full 80 feet above the stage. I hesitated; the crew manager laughed and said, 'yea, your brother was always afraid of going up there when he worked here too.' I was up the ladder in minutes and my fear of heights was forever beaten. I used to be terrified of heights. Then, while volunteering as a theatre tech in high school, the crew manager invited me up to the ‘grid,’ the network of 2×4s and steel girders that resides a full 80 feet above the stage.

I hesitated; the crew manager laughed and said, ‘yea, your brother was always afraid of going up there when he worked here too.’

I was up the ladder in minutes and my fear of heights was forever beaten.

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